From Republic of the Union of Myanmar
- Name
SOE Myat Thandar - Country/ Region of Citizenship
Republic of the Union of Myanmar - Department
Department of Life Science and Medical Bioscience （Doctoral）
AUN/SEED-Net JICA Scholarship Honor
Did you have any concerns before coming to Japan?
One thing I was worried about Japan was the weather. As my country is in the tropical area, it would be cold for me in Japan. Even in winter it is 27 ℃ in my country.
Well now it doesn’t matter with me about the weather, as I spent the winter once.
Could you tell us a little about your background before coming to Japan?
I have been a university teacher at the Ministry of Science and technology, and also a student at my host university, Mandalay Technological University.As I wanted to study abroad in the advanced country, after finishing my master degree, I got a training scholarship and a chance for further study in biotechnology at NSTDA (National Science and Technology development Agency) in Thailand around 2010.
I have recognized the difference between our reserch conditions in the biotechnology field and those of other countries, because the research activity in the field has been still developed in my country; people don’t know much about the biotechnology, they just take it as same as biology, so I wanted to share the new knowledge of the biotechnology with people in my country. After finishing the training, I noticed that I really wanted to study in other countries and I started to search study abroad programs with scholarship. Fortunately I got the scholarship after severe selection!
How did you find out about Waseda University?
I didn’t know about Waseda before, and through the scholarship programs I got information about Waseda. And last year, the admission office’s staffs came to my host university for the introduction, as well.
Why did you choose Waseda University?
Well, I considered Hokkaido University, Kyoto University, Kyusyu University and others for the appropriate place for my reserch but I wanted to live and study in Tokyo, then decided Waseda.
And I also think Waseda is fine because there are so many departments and reserch labs in the field of engineering, bioscience, life science, medical bioscience and so on.
After coming to Japan, a neighbor asked me which university I studied and I answered ‘Waseda’. The neighbor was so surprised and said ‘Wow! Waseda? You must be intelligent!’
Now, I am really proud of being a member of Waseda.
How are the relationships with your supervisor and lab members?
I have good relationships with my professor and lab members.My professor is very kind and always friendly to the students. We have a reserch advisor in the lab, and he is also kind to help me whenever I need something or ask something related to my research.
There are three international students in the lab including me; a student from Taiwan, who has already finished his research, a student from China and me. I often talk with the Chinese student in English. Well, everybody in my lab speaks in English, so I don’t feel any problems in communication.
Outline of the research
Nitrification is the important process in the biological wastewater treatment process. But there is a rate –limiting step because of the slow growth rate of nitrifying bacteria such as ammonia-oxidizing bacteria and nitrite-oxidizing bacteria. There are many strategies that have been used to increase nitrifying microbial population by means of inventing bioreactor and producing nitrifying granules.Nitrosomonas mobilis is the important ammonia-oxidizing bacteria in nitrifying granules in the bioreactor as well as in the wastewater treatment process. In my study, molecular analysis on the microcolony-formation of N.mobilis is conducted because it was isolated in pure culture by using the advantages of microcolony formation of it. This study would bring the great potential to be better understanding of N.mobils and other microcolony-forming nitrifying bacteria and could help for the further study of improving wastewater treatment process.
What do you do in your free time?
I am usually busy! I don’t have so much free time! From the morning till the night on weekdays, I stay at the lab for the research. I come back to my home around 11 o’clock at night. I cook on my own and eat dinner, and do net-surfing or something. In holidays, I stay at home and sleep or listen to the music to take a rest.
I wanted to join the events held by ICC but cannot, since I am busy.
What is your career goal?
After obtaining the degree from Waseda, I will go back to my country. As I am a government officer, I work for the country which has been rebuilding many systems, and the country needs new generation like us. I hope I can also help many students or teachers in my country to have higher education using my knowledge and experience here.
Short message to the prospective students
in English
I am Soe Myat Thandar from Myanmar. Now I am studying at the Department of Life Science and Medical Bioscience. A warm welcome from the Waseda University to all students, foreign students and also Myanmar students. I am sure if you study at the Waseda, you will get an unforgettable student life with the high education. There are many scholarship programs for the outstanding students and also good opportunities in job-hunting for your career.
Don’t hesitate, just try it and finally you will catch the chance.
Make your dreams come true!
in Myanmar
